What Is A Pre-Employment Physical?

Don’t be surprised if you walk into a job interview only to be asked for your physical examination reports. Many employers commonly ask their interviewees to undergo a physical exam before coming in. However, the requirement of this physical test depends on the nature of the job. There are legal procedures in place that regulate when and which tests can be asked for.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governs the rules that apply to pre-employment physical exams. ADA guidelines apply to local and state government employers, employment agencies, private companies, and labor outfits. Employers are permitted to ask their prospective employees to present physical exam reports after they've been extended a conditional job offer. While they cannot do so before a job offer has been made, they can ask the person being interviewed to describe or act out how they would perform a particular task.

Apart from physical check-ups, pre-employment physicals may also include drug/alcohol tests and mental/psychological assessments. Jobs that are physically intensive in nature may require jobseekers to submit proof of their health and fitness. These medical reports are supposed to be stored confidentially by the employer.

Routine check-up

So, what tests are performed generally as part of a pre-employment physical?

To begin with, a person's vital signs are checked. Weight, temperature, blood pressure and so on are measured. The doctor/nurse then proceeds to examine the patient's hearing and visual ability, their cardiovascular health and range of reflexes. He/she may also be interrogated upon their medication or family health history.

Other tests

Certain other tests are also performed. These are –

Drug and Alcohol Screenings – New employees are made subject to drug and alcohol tests in order to assess their risk of absenteeism and accidents. The company seeks to lessen their liability by hiring a healthy individual who tests negative for a history of drug abuse.

Physical Stamina Tests – Labor-intensive jobs require the person being hired to be physically fit and capable of withstanding the physical exertions of manual labor. Companies would like to decrease the risk of injuries here by testing their new recruits for their physical ability.

Mental Health Tests – Employers today need employees that can deal with escalating stress without letting it take a toll on their mental health. A person who can adequately employ coping strategies on his/her will to tackle stress is more likely to get hired than one who gets overwhelmed easily.

Afterword

When a person has completed taking these tests, he/she is furnished a complete medical report detailing the health criteria checked by their medical professional. They can then submit this report to their employer before they can assume their job responsibilities. In most cases, a pre-employment physical is simply another compliance that has to be met by the employee. Some companies, however, pay close attention to the results before they make their hire. In either case, it is profitable to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle not only keeps you well but makes you eligible for greater earning opportunities.

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